Population

Objectives

At the end of the session the students should be able to:

1.  Define population.

2.  Show by explaining the factors that affects the increase and decrease of population.

3.  Identify problems and solutions to problems on population growth.

4.  Identify the different types of Family Planning Methods.

Population

• refers to a group of organisms  of the same       kind or specie living  in the same  place at the same  time.

A population may increase or decrease due to birth, death, immigration and migration. 

Population Growth

•       It is the change in a population over time,  and can be quantified as the change in the  number of individuals of any species in a  population using "per unit time" for  measurement. 

•       In demographics, population growth rate  (PGR) is the rate at which the number of  individuals in a population increases in a  given time period as a fraction of the initial  population. 

Factors that Affect  the    Population  Growth

1. The birth rate  exceeds the death  rate. 

The population  naturally increases if  the number of births  is greater than the  number of births at  any given of time or  if the death rate is  slower than the birth  rate. 

•       Birth Rate or Fertility Rate 

It refers to the number of births per 1000  people per year. 

Formula:                                                        

B.R. =  No. of Births within a year  x 1000

            Total Pop. Within a year

B.R. = 1, 766, 440       x 1000 

            76, 504, 077

         = 23.09

·      Death Rate or Mortality Rate

D.R. = No. of Deaths within a year  x 1000

            Total Pop. Within a year

D.R. = 366, 931              x 1000

            76, 504, 077

         = 4.80

In the Philippines, the death rate continues to decline due to improved health and  sanitation, health care and improved standard of living. 

2. The development in Science and Technology has made the life expectancy of Filipinos longer.

•       With the help of the  Department Science and  Technology (DOST), the  agency tasked by the  government to develop  pharmaceutical products  for priority health  problems, better health and  long life are attained. 

3. Some beliefs and practices of the Filipinos also influence the population growth.

•       Filipinos believed that children are blessings to the family and that more  children mean more blessings. I the  rural areas where the main livelihood is  agriculture, to have children means  more hands to help in tilling the field,  harvesting, and engaging in other  means of livelihood. 

Problems on Population Growth

1.         Food Shortage 

• If there are more people, more food  supply is needed. When there is food  shortage, this means there is not enough  food supply to sustain the needs of the  people 

• Panic Buying 

• Hoarding

• Prices of commodities also go up 

2. Water Shortage 

• For more people, naturally more water  is needed. In a place where the population  is big, there is water problem. 

3. Housing Problem 

• There are only a few families who own  their houses and lots. At times, in crowded  areas, people build their houses along the  railroads, riverbanks and even along  sidewalks. These people are called  informal settlers. 

4. Unemployment

•       Too many people compete with one  another for the limited jobs that are  available. Unfortunately, the government  cannot provide enough jobs for every job  applicant. Many applicants end up  underemployed-working in jobs way below  their educational qualifications and  attainment. 

5.    Peace and Order

• Due to big population, unemployment,  hunger, homelessness, sickness and  frustrations, many people resort to  illegal and criminal acts just to  survive. This leads to a rise in  criminality that endangers the peace  and security of the country. 

6.    Health Problems

·      Malnutrition due to lack of food and food  nutrients 

·      Unsanitary surroundings due to  indiscriminate garbage disposal 

·      Poor hygiene and poor health 

·      Presence of diseases like bronchitis  among babies, diarrhea and tuberculosis 

7. Garbage Problem 

·      When there are many people producing garbage, we need more space  for garbage. Rotting garbage gives off poisonous gas called methane. This adds to air pollution. Heaps of garbage that  easily decay are biodegradable and those  that do not are non-biodegradable like  pieces of plastics or plastic bags. Plastic materials clogging in “ esteros” and canals  contribute to flooding. 

8. Pollution 

·      In crowded communities, many people are prone to polluted air, contaminated water and noisy environment. 

·      As the population grows, more industries and factories are built. These give off harmful gases and chemicals like nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and lead. 

·      Water is also polluted in crowded communities. 

1.    Education

·      To help the citizens of our country, the government provides free elementary and secondary education to everyone.

Solutions to Problems on Population Growth

·      Development programs to increase food  production,provide potable water supply, construct more  road and bridges. 

·      Promoting health and wellness of the people by building  more hospitals, health clinics and render effective health  services. (Family Planning Methods) 

·      The government has carried out housing programs on  low cost housing in cooperation with the National  Housing Authority. 

·      To protect our environment, the government has initiated environment protection projects like Pasig Rehabilitation Program and Haribon Foundation Program. Congress  has passed laws on environmental care and protection  such as Philippine Clean  Water Act and Clean Air Act.

Population control

•       The practice of curtailing population increase, usually by reducing the birth rate. 

•       Ancient Greece documents the first known examples of population control.  Infanticide and abortion were encouraged in some Greek city states in order to keep population down.

•       People's Republic of China introduced “One child policy.”

Family Planning

•       Methods intended to determine the number and spacing of one's children through birth control.

•       Family planning implies that a couple discusses when and how many children they can have so that they can give the utmost care to the child, financially, psychologically and socially.

Fertilization

•       During each menstrual cycle, one of a woman's ovaries releases an egg. This process is called ovulation. 

•       The egg moves toward the uterus through the fallopian tubes, where fertilization may take place.

•       An unfertilized egg may live for up to 12 hours. The egg will be shed later during the menstrual period if it isn't fertilized. 

•       A woman is most likely to become pregnant if sexual intercourse takes place just before or just after ovulation.

Types of Family Planning Methods

1. Natural 

2. Artificial 

Disadvantages: 

·      Nausea and vomiting

·      Weight gain

·      Ectopic pregnancy

·      Allergy

·      Infertility

Natural Family Planning Methods

1. Abstinence 

2. Withdrawal or Coitus Interruptus 

3. Calendar Method

4. Billings Method or Cervical Mucus Method

5. Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Method

6. Sympto-Thermal Method

7. Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

Artificial Family Planning Methods

1. Condoms 

2. Birth Control Pills

3. Intrauterine Device (IUD)

4. Sterilization

            - BTL (Bilateral Tubal Ligation) - women 

            - Vasectomy - men